Vehicles with Indian number plates banned in southern Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct 8: The use of vehicles with Indian license plates has been banned during the campaigning for November 19 elections in a southern Nepal district bordering India.

The District Election Office in Nawalparasi has directed parties not to use vehicles with Indian registration and asked them to get temporary permission from authorities if they have to use these vehicles for the polls to the Constituent Assembly next month.

The directive comes in the wake of massive use of vehicles from across the border, which carry Indian number plates, The Himalayan Times reported today.

Vehicles with Indian numbers can be used only with temporary permission, as per which green number plates are provided to them during their use in Nepal.

"These vehicles pose great challenge when it comes to maintaining security. Therefore the directive has been issued following a request from the district security authority," the paper quoted an official from the Nawalparasi District Election Office as saying.

Vehicles with Indian numbers can be used only with temporary permission.

Election Officer Bishnu Prasad Koirala said that all the election candidates have been informed about the new directive.

It has been estimated that as many as 30 vehicles with Indian number plates are being used in the district headquarters Parasi and adjoining areas for upcoming elections.